Saving the planet can save the economy
August 31, 2011
The post-graduation future appears to hold more uncertainty than promise for many college students.
Sustainability
Sustainability has been a popular topic since the creation of the Office of Sustainability, which was headed by Andy Sarjahani in the 2008-09 school year and Denny Cochrane during the 2009-10 school year. The office sponsored several initiatives, including going tray-less in the D2 and Shultz dining halls, installing a local foods kiosk in the Owens dining hall and hosting a “sustainability week” two years in a row.
In June 2009, the Board of Visitors approved the incorporation of 14 points into university policy regarding environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and recycling. A major goal included pursuing LEED Silver certification, an environmental building rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council, on all new buildings and renovations.
Related to sustainability, coal was a hot topic as the Beyond Coal group campaigned vocally for a cleaner, more renewable future without the use of coal, specifically on the Tech campus.
Content on Sustainability:
New eco-friendly programs considered
June 29, 2011
New efforts are being made toward environmental protection and sustainability around Virginia Tech and Southwest Virginia.
Businesses attain sustainability help
April 5, 2011
The number of people concerned with the environment is rising.
Styrofoam dining hall boxes bring sculptures to life
December 2, 2010
It’s a guilty habit many of us share: Once we’ve claimed a table at a dining hall, we order our food and go back to the table to eat it — out of a Styrofoam to-go box.
Beyond Coal pushes Tech to look at renewable energy sources for 2020
November 8, 2010
Beyond Coal at Virginia Tech is joining colleges across the nation in its goal to use 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2020.
Tech’s green efforts recognized
October 28, 2010
Virginia Tech earned its highest marks yet on a recently released sustainability report card.
Beyond Coal lacks suitable plan for Tech
October 13, 2010
We all know about the coal-fired energy plant on campus, located in the Upper Quad.
Sustainable food solutions exist outside local, organic movements
October 5, 2010
I'm not necessarily opposed to local, or even organic, food.
Biking central to campus sustainability
October 5, 2010
After reading Chelsea Gunter's "He said, She Said" column on things that annoy her, "Bikers must back-off, and boys must conjure up new pick-up lines" (CT, Oct. 1), I had the immediate urge to write this response out of my annoyance about her ignorance ab
Blacksburg Transit unveils 'go green' bus wrap
September 23, 2010
Blacksburg Transit took over the plaza neighboring Squires Student Center Thursday to unveil a new wrap for its line of hybrid buses.